The 21st Upton Upon Severn Jazz Festival was saddened by the untimely death from cancer of the popular and versatile Midlands trombonist Derek Halford, just two days before they opened their doors.

Derek had been due to appear alongside trumpeter Gordon Whit-worth in soprano saxist George Huxley's All Star Jazz Band with singer Caz Shennington and by all accounts his former colleagues found it difficult to fill their scheduled Saturday night slot at the King's Head without him.

The air of mourning continued on Sunday afternoon when Huxley's drummer Barry Norman took over the chair of Liverpool's Merseysippi Jazz Band at the same venue.

Elsewhere, the sombre mood was lightened by end of the pier lunacy from Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band, clarinettists Dave Shepherd and Chris Walker's feverish swing, hot New Orleans courtesy of The Frog Island Jazz Band and vigorous Dixieland from Arthur Brown's All Stars featuring festival director 'Sir' Alan Buckley on drums.

Meanwhile, guitarist Bev Pegg's Railroad Skiffle Group found themselves competing with David Beck-ham and his chums as football fans switched on surreptitious radios to catch the action from Germany.

With England victorious, there was time to take in stylish American vocalist Hanna Richardson making her third showing at Upton, backed by guitarist Chris Flory and husband Phil Flanigan on bass.

The lanky brunette was equally at home with jazz, blues or novelty songs, delivering her material in an intimate conversational fashion.

Boosted by support from Radio 2's Russell Davies, for Hanna - to quote the title of her latest album - "things are looking up".